“When we hear that swim beaches are closed, that’s really misleading to the public.”
The Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake have announced that the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) results from lake samples taken on Monday, July 10th have been received. Due to high blue green algae cell counts all zones of the reservoir, including Zones A, B and C are in a “Warning” status.
In addition to the warnings, the designated swim beaches at Milford State Park and the Corps of Engineers are to remain closed – for the second week in a row – due to the presence of the blue green algae.
Rick Dykstra, former Assistant Director of the Geary County Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) and current outdoor enthusiast, said that the information put out by the Corps is “disappointing.”
“When we hear that swim beaches are closed, that’s really misleading to the public because only three beaches are closed; Cedar State beach is not closed, Thunderbird Marina beach is not closed, Flagstop Campground beach is not closed, Acorn’s Resort beach is not closed – so, there’s more beaches open than closed,” said Dykstra.
Swimming in other parts of the lake, areas not closed due to blue green algae, is not prohibited. Lake users are advised to use caution.
A warning indicates that blue green algae is present at a level considered unsafe for people and animals. Contact with lake water should be avoided.
Dykstra said that a public awareness/education campaign needs to happen. “I think Missouri has the key, and that is public education – putting signs on boat ramps showing what it looks like, ‘green on top stop’, find another place to swim on the lake that doesn’t have it.”
Blue green algae is known to appear or disappear suddenly, or move as the wind shifts. Lake samples taken for testing are done on Mondays with results being delivered on Thursday.
“It’s just sad that we are stuck with whatever happened on Monday,” said Dykstra. “More and more people are finding out what this means actually and are overcoming it, because it’s easy – it’s just going out there and finding water that does not appear to have blue green algae and recreate.”
Milford Lake is the largest lake in Kansas.